Logistics Infrastructure : NORTHERN MALAYSIAN INTERNATIONAL AIR GATEWAY FACILITY NEEDS FACILITATION!

Penang state Chief Minister, Lim Guan Eng proposed to the federal government to build a new airport or expand the existing airport facility in Penang. This is because the current Penang International Airport which was previously known as Bayan Lepas International Airport, has the capacity to hold 5 million people a year. In recent years, the airport did undergo upgrading works worth RM 250 million which elevated the facility’s ability to handle from 3.5 million to 5 million people. The improvisation included additional parking bays for cars and planes.

However, as of October 2013, the visitors consist of local and foreign tourists attained to 4.4 million people. This is an increase 14% compared 9% in the year 2012 and by the end of this year, the utilization of the airport would increase up to 5.5 million people. It is also forecasted that in the 2014, there will be another 10% increase in tourists visiting Penang.

The state government is anxious with the fact that the reputation of the state and country might be jeopardize should the airport fails to handle the increasing tourists into Penang. Furthermore, the car park and even the internal parts of the Penang International Airport are often flooded whenever there is a heavy rainfall due to unsound drainage system. Building an additional runway for the airport on the readily available land will also help the airport to increase the efficiency by accommodating more planes to land and take off.

If at all the statistics and statements expressed by the head of Penang state is accurate, the federal government should, without any further delay, work towards encouraging as well as fulfilling the proposal. Firstly, Malaysia is about to walk into the heavily promoted Visit Malaysia 2014. Penang being famous for its historical spots, splendid food and remarkable island city with beaches will attract more tourists to the state. Secondly, upgrading the airport will help Malaysia to augment its position from the current 29^th ranking in the World Bank Logistics Index Report in 2012. Hence, the Penang International Airport should be included in the formulation of the Logistics Sector Master Plan and National Aviation Policy in order to achieve the aim expressed by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak during the latest Malaysian Budget 2014, in promoting the Malaysian aviation industry to become the region’s aviation hub. Finally, Penang International Airport should appear to be seamless as it is viewed as a significant gateway for tourism, export and import trade into Malaysia especially the northern part of Peninsular Malaysia. Such developments are crucial for the country’s economic status to progress further. Onthe other hand, limiting the growth of the country, particularly a state based on political grounds, should there be any, has to be avoided at once.

Thank you for your time.

Best regards,

Mahinder Singh Malhi